 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fabian
Date: 2009-03-11 07:56
Hi,
I've been using this Buffet E11 clarinet for 3 months. Recently, i've found out that some of my keys (particularly the C# key, B Natural keys) have this purplelish stain to it. I've tried wiping it with silver polish, but it dosen't seem to come off. Also, the key in between the C# key and D fingering has this extreme purple colour that it dosent shine anymore.
I've tried using silver polish but nothing seems to work. Does anyone know what is causing this?
- Fabian
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-03-11 11:50
That's fairly normal with silver plating tarnishing - it can often go purple but can be removed with silver dip or silver polish, though take the keys off before using liquid polish so you can be sure to clean it all off before replacing them.
The purple tarnish is stubborn, but can be removed.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-03-11 13:14
I don't know if the E-11's keywork is silver-plated or nickel-plated, but FYI the purplish tinge can appear on nickel plating if it's been overheated by a soldering torch.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-03-11 14:06
E11s have had silver plated keywork for around 10 years now.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-03-11 14:11
AFAIK E11s are silver plated. I haven't seen it myself yet but was told by several repairers that (more recent?) Buffet silver plating sometimes tend to do this. Actually maybe I have seen it but thought it was just tarnish and didn't notice it was purple... being colourblind.....
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-03-11 14:34
All silver plating will get this purple tarnish on the edges of keys where contact with the fingers is at a minimum. I've seen all manner of flutes from Yamaha 211S through to solid silver Powells that have this purple tarnish on them.
On clarinets it's usually on the sides and edges of some keys or on the arms connecting the rings to the key barrels, as well as socket rings, pillars and backs of thumbrests.
Goddard's Silver Dip will soften this tarnish enough for it to be buffed off with a silver cloth, and it can also be removed with Duraglit. But as I previously mentioned, only use these kinds of cleaning agents or polishes when the keys are off the instrument so you can clean out the key barrels thoroughly before reassembling.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2009-03-11 14:37)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2009-03-11 16:26
Sulfur compounds in the air react with silver to form a sulfide that will vary from tan to gray to , eventually, black. Impurities in the silver and other element compounds in the air or surroundings (case lining and glue etc) could vary the color somewhat. There is a fine line between one's perception of purple and gray-black. Use of the 3M anti-tarnish paper can help.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Geirskogul
Date: 2009-03-12 07:11
I like the Tarn-X tarnish remover. Smells like crap (it's basically urea) but takes that tarnish right off. For nickel plated keys I usually can't get the tarnish off and have to use something like Mother's Mag and aluminum polish. You can only do that so many times, though.
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Author: Fabian
Date: 2009-03-12 08:58
Hi,
Thanks for the replies. I've have trying to use silver polish and most of it work, though theres this particular key that still has the stain in it. Due to the lack of resources, I use tissue paper.
-Fabian
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Author: BobD
Date: 2009-03-12 09:00
.....and every time you remove the tarnish from silver you expose new metal to additional loss too. Keeping a hard rubber mouthpiece in the case with a silver plated E11 helps cause tarnish.....as also does rubber bands, pencils with erasers, apricots, egg salad sandwiches etc etc.
Bob Draznik
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